SUDAN. – A region of central Africa of which the western part is politically dependent on France (v. A.O.F) and the eastern part constitutes the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The latter is made up of the basin of the Upper Nile and the White Nile, from the Congo to the second cataract, and from the Red Sea to Darfur.
It consists of a series of monotonous plateaus, gently sloping downwards towards the north; covered with dense forests or marshy in the south (Bahr el-Ghazal), but gradually becoming more arid as one proceeds northwards and westwards (Darfur, Kordofan), until they finally give way to desert (Nubia). On the eastern side the relief becomes more pronounced, rising towards the Ethiopian plateau. Where it can benefit from the waters of the many rivers that cross it (Gezirah), the vast country (2.5 million sq. km.) is suitable for cultivation (cotton), but on the whole livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats and camels) prevails, whose products already enjoy a fair amount of export. The population (7.6 million inhabitants) is composed of Arab, Hamitic and Negro peoples, fanatically Muslim. There are no lack of large inhabited centres: Omdurman (118,000 inhabitants), the old Mahdist capital, faces, at the confluence of the two Niles, Khartoum (62,000 inhabitants), the new capital. On the Red Sea is Port Sudan (50,000 inhabitants).
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan is an Anglo-Egyptian condominium, in reality dominated by British interests.
EVANGELIZATION. –
I. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
In 1697 the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide founded the mission of Akhmin, Fungi and Ethiopia under the prefect Francesco Maria da Saleme of the Reformed Franciscans. Senna then in the Sudan was later in the 18th century the starting point for various attempts at mission in Ethiopia. At the beginning of the 18th century Fr. Damiano da Rivoli O.F.M., appointed in 1701 prefect of the then established mission of Fezzan, Bornu and Nubia, made an attempt at a mission in Nubia which failed. Further attempts likewise came to nothing.In 1846 Propaganda erected the apostolic vicariate of Central Africa. After the resignation of the first vicar
